Trainer Gareth van Zyl could be for a good day at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday and close out 2025 in good form.
The first comes up in Race 3 where he sends out Desert Dog in an Open Maiden over 2000m.
With 12 runners carded, Van Zyl's charge is the only without an official merit rating as he has only been to the track twice. That makes it hard to assess his ability as determined by the handicapper.
But based on his last performance, the three-year-old will take the first bite ahead of his peers and elders as he takes a step up in trip.
His debut on the turf track over 1600m was a puppy performance as he lagged behind the field. Perhaps back in his box he was teased, but he showed a resolute determination to prove his bullies wrong, running a very close second over the same distance second time out on the Polytrack.
With S'manga Khumalo in the saddle this time round, his only opposition is his wide draw.
Salani Kahle, Van Zyl's charge in Race 5, has also only raced twice, but due to his runaway victory last time out when exiting the maidens, the three-year-old boasts a merit rating of 89.
He lines up in a Class C Handicap over 1800m and although he tries the Polytrack for the first time, he looks unbeatable.
His debut effort was so eye-catching when he made up around six lengths in the final 400m, that he went off as 3-2 favourite second time out. He did not disappoint, finishing 6.30-lengths ahead of runner-up Intro over 1800m. Khumalo also gets this ride.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 2 Quincy Town, 1 Levitator, 4 Kali Bwana, 11 Sun In My Pocket
Race 2: 3 Tipperary, 5 Total Eruption, 4 Run For Peace, 1 Danegeld
Race 3: 12 Desert Dog, 9 Tee Dog, 2 Taste The Rainbow, 1 Mysterious Erik
Race 4: 11 Banzai Pipeline, 7 Circle Of Grace, 4 Mohandas, 10 Arctic Fury
Race 5: 2 Salani Kahle, 1 World Of Our Own, 7 Green Glow, 4 The Wolf
Race 6: 3 Curious Girl, 6 Spring Kiss, 1 Flying Reign Storm, 5 Cool Wind
Race 7: 6 Faire Advantage, 1 Parmenion, 3 Winter Waves, 10 Ibutho
Race 8: 8 Professor Lupin, 9 Count Marsh, 5 Purple Powahouse, 3 Lou Lou The Legend
BEST BET
Race 5: 2 Salani Kahle
VALUE BET
Race 4: 11 Banzai Pipeline
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 3x5
BIPOT
R144
Leg 1: 1, 2, 4
Leg 2: 3, 5
Leg 3: 2, 9, 12
Leg 4: 4, 7, 10, 11
Leg 5: 2
Leg 6: 3, 6
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 3, 5
Leg 2: 9, 12
Leg 3: 4, 7, 11
Leg 4: 2
Leg 5: 3, 6
Leg 6: 1, 3, 6
Leg 7: 5, 8, 9
PICK 6
R1800
Leg 1: 1, 2, 7, 9, 12
Leg 2: 4, 7, 10,11
Leg 3: 2
Leg 4: 1, 3, 6
Leg 5: 1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10
Leg 6: 3, 5, 8, 9, 11
JACKPOT 1
R72
Leg 1: 4, 7, 10,11
Leg 2: 2
Leg 3: 1, 3, 6
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10
JACKPOT 2
R90
Leg 1: 2
Leg 2: 1, 3, 6
Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10
Leg 4: 3, 5, 8, 9, 11